FAO/GIEWS - Food Outlook No. 3, June 1998 Page 17

STATISTICAL NOTE:

Data are obtained from official and non-official sources. For cereals, production data refer to the calendar year in which the whole harvest or bulk of harvest takes place. For sugar, production data relate to the October/September season. For vegetable oils and oil meals derived from oilseeds, production data refer to the year in which the bulk of the seeds concerned are crushed. For trade in wheat and coarse grains, the time reference period is normally the July/June marketing year unless otherwise stated. Trade data for rice and other commodities refer to calendar year. Coarse grains refer to all other cereals except wheat and rice. Quantities are in metric tons unless otherwise stated.

In the presentation and analysis of statistical material, countries are sub-divided, where appropriate, into the following two main economic groupings: "Developed countries" (including the developed market economies and the former U.S.S.R.) and "Developing countries" (including the developing market economies and the Asia centrally planned countries). The designation "Developed" and "Developing" economies is intended for statistical convenience and does not necessarily express a judgement about the stage reached by a particular country or area in the development process.

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Food Outlook is issued by FAO under the Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture. It gives a concise analysis of information affecting the situation and outlook for basic foodstuffs. This month's issues is based on information available up to 29 May 1998.
ENQUIRIES should be directed to Mr. Abdur Rashid, Chief, Global Information and Early Warning Service, Commodities and Trade Division (ESC), FAO - Rome. (Telex:610181 FAO I GIEWS Direct Facsimile: 0039-6-5705-4495, E-mail INTERNET: [email protected]).